System of centering for reinforced concrete construction.



H. BRUSSBL. SYSTEM OF CENTBRING FOB. REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1909.

m [J in ventor:

y w m.

'Atty H. BRUSSEL. v SYSTEM OF GBNTERING FOR REINFORGED CONCRETE GONSTRUGTION.

' APlLIOATION FILED JUNE 4, 1909. I 954 1 5 Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

3 SHHETSSHBBT 2.

Inventor;

est:

H. BRUSSEL. SYSTEM 0Pv GENTEBING FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1909.

3 SHEEN-SHEET 3.

. fv w y [ijm clnvnton b 40?? I3 Patented Apr.'5, 1910.

NITEDS AT S PATENT OFFICE;

' amines IIBRUSSEL, or s'r: Louis, mssounr.

' SYSTEM or onnrnmne ron nnrnron'cnn .conc'anrs consrnucrron.

. Application filed June'4,

To all whom it ma/y concern: e

-Be it known that I, HUGUESBR'US'SEL, a

citizen of the Republic of France, and resi dent of the city of StJLouis, in the s ate of Concrete Constructions, of which the follow- Missouri, have invented acertain new and useful System ofCentering forReinforced ing is a specification.

The invention; relates .to reinforced con;

crete j construction; more particularly to means for and methods of constructin and I supporting the centering or'falsewor re- "quired for molding the several members of and similarly supported'upon' the completed reinforced concrete buildings," especially when dividedby horizontal partitions for 7 floors into two or more stories. The'method heretofore employed-in construction" work I of this characterhas been to start from the foundations andmold first the supporting columns and then-the floor members of the 'first-floor in boxes and uponsheeting sup-' ported from below by uprights distr buted more or less uniformly over the entire area offthe structure, and then totmo'ld the mem-' bers of the next, and of each succeeding floor in'turn, upon centering built upfrom I iloor immediately below. This mode of pro cedure is objectionable on several grounds. .In the first place, it ism'ecessary to allow the concrete of one floor to set before starting the erection of .the centering of the; floor above, thus alternately interrupting ,the

, work of the carpenters-v and of the steel I the progress of the work -very slow.

workers and concrete men and rendering interference and added expense thus occa- "-sioned are particularly felt in the case of buildings coveringasmall ground. area. An-

concrete poured into the molds of the floor other and more serious, objection is due to the fact that green concrete 1 has little strength and requires a considerable period of time,dependingupon its size and shape, weather conditions, and other considerations,'to thoroughly dry out and harden. A newly molded floor must therefore be supported by temporary shoring in order to enable it to sustain'the weight ,of the wet above; and a premature striking of the centering or too early remoyal of such props may endanger not only the safety of 'the'entire structure but the lives of the workmen, and has caused a large percentage of the acci-,

The.

1909. s rial No. 500,150.

this'form f construction; 4 The object of the present. invention is to prov deiniproved means and methods for dents which'havemccurred, in the p t; in

centering andthereby to reduce to a minibothbf the construction itselfjan'dof the construction.

'. 120 this end my invention consists, broadly orangeme'nt and location of: temporary uprights and horizontal carriers upon which the centering for the floor is'supported and also, where the, construction comprises more tireloentering for the second-and each sueceeding floor is mounted, u on and carried bye -not the newly molded oor immediately extended up through the centering of the intermediate'flooror floors. I The uprights which constitute the su orts for'the centeringare set upon suit'abde "far as practicable, and preferably extendabove the first floorleve'L- They are usually the interior columns, or, rat11er,-"positions' for such columns with a column at the center and with'sides parallelto. the sides of the 'fifths of the span .in each direction, thus leaving a space about equal to three-fifths of the span between each group, while two uprights are set on the inner side of each outer or wall column or column-position and at about thesame distance therefrom and from each other as in the case of the interior columns,

difierent-grou'ps, are tied together and heldconstructing and supporting'the necessary the amount of material required, 'to" exped1tethe'work, and to increase the safety workmen employed -duringjthe period of than one story, in what may'be called a system of eontmuous centering wherein the enthe other dpair being here either omitted or, i

Specification of Letters Patent." Patented Apr. 5,1910.

;sta ed, in certain-novel.;eatures"in the ar-t below,'as formerly, but-temporary uprights :which from suitable foundations below are oundations, the footings of'the columns so and preferably so disposed that four will formsubstantially a rectangle-about'each of building and of a length about equal to two distribution in position by horizontal members whichare so secured to the uprights and at such a height thereon that they may serve as car-. 'riers for the boxes and sheeting required for molding the. beams and floor-slabs of the first floor, the uprights and -carriers being stiffened and strengthened by knee braces secured in place so as to be readily removable. The usual boxes for the principal girders and-cross girders or beams are secured in place upon the carriers, the sheeting which constitutes the platform upon which the floor-slabs are molded is laid upon joists which are also set in place upon the carriers ind assembled thereto, if desired, and the boxes for supporting columns are .set up. The floor-sheeting is cut-away so as to fit around the uprights,'which, as stated, extend above the floor level; and, after it is in place, a sleeve of any suitable materialand preferably tapering inwardly from its upper.

' end is slipped down over or molded around each upright to prevent its being embedded in thefioor-slab and to provide an opening therein through which it can later be readily removed. Either after or, usually, before thisfirst floor has been molded, the uprights are built up above the next floor level in any suitable manner, and these extensions are in turn tied together by horizontal carriers upon which the beam boxes and fioor-sheeting for the second floor are assembled and sleeves are placed or formed around the uprights 1n the same manner as before. The

boxes for the second floor columns are supported, preferably,upon additional carriers suitably secured to the uprights for the purose. In a'simi lar manner, the centering or each succeeding floor in turn, and finally for the roof, is built up upon and 1s carried by the same uprights. Since each fioor'has to carry only its own weight themolded concrete is soon hard enough so that the centering for the fioor may be struck-and the carriers removed, the uprights having first been properly wedged within the sleeves, or in the openings left in the floor-slabs by the sleeves, to prevent any lateral movement.

And if, for any reason, as to allow the workof the interior finishing to proceed, it is desired to remove the'lower section or sections of some or all of the uprights, this may be done, when the concrete of the lower floors has sufficiently hardened, after securing the uprightsto horizontal supports laid upon the hardened beams of the floor above or of several consecutive floors, according to the load to be carried. After 'the removal of :the uprights therefrom, the openings left 'in the floor slabs are filled up with concrete in any suitable way;'for example, by pieces molded, either in' advance or after-their removal, in the sleeves used to form such openings. It is thus possible, and is usual in practice, for workmen to be removing the centering of the first floor while, simulta neously, concrete men are molding the second floor, steel workers are setting the reinforcement for the floor above, and carpenters are building up the centering for a floor still higher up.

The means and methods employed in ca rying out my invention, as above set forth, are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,-in which, similar reference characters being used throughout to indicate similar parts Figure 1 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 2, showing the under side of the centering of one of the upper floors of a building in' course of construction: Fig. 2, a vertical section on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1, showing the centering and supports of an upper floor and the completely molded first floor from which the centering has been struck; Fig. 3, a vertical section on the line '3 3 of Fig. 2; and Figs. 4 and 5, enlarged details, partly in section, of an opening through 'a' floor-slab around an upright, showing means for forming, wedging the upright within, and finally filling up such opening.

As here illustrated, the uprights 1, usually of ordinary length and correspondingly larger for longer spans, rest upon the column-footings 2 and, extending up to a convenient height (say three feet) above the first floor level, are built'np above the level uprights and, at. their upper ends against blocks 9 on the lower edges of the beam-carriers 6. The girder-lmxes 10 and the beamboxes 11, botlrof the usual construction, rest upon and are carried by the girder-carriers and beam-carriers, respectively, while. the sheeting 12, fori'ning a platform upon which the floor-slabs are molded and cut away so as wooden timbers four inches square for spans againstthe tie-pieces l and blocks 8 upon the to fit around the uprights, is laid upon joists 13 which, extending between the girderboxes parallel to the beam-boxes, are assembled and re t upon riser-strips ll mounted upon the upper, edges of the beam-carriers between the twain-boxes in any suitable manner, as by cleats 15. The sides of the girth-r-boxes are braced by the ends of the joists 13which, if not of the full length required, are set inserted against the ends of the riser-strips bracej the sides of the beam-boxes. The ordinary'iron clamps 17 may be used-in addi-v tion, it necessary or considered desirable.

The outer sides of the end or s andrel beamand girder-boxes are prevente frdm spreading, whe-n'the concrete is poured, by vertical pieces 18 'whicharesecured; at their lower ends by clamps, or I otherwise, and at their upper ends to the column-carriers 23 or otherwise tied to the uprights. A sleeve 19,

of metal,'cardboard, or other suitable n'1a terial,surrounds each upright and rests upon thefloor-sheeting, wedges 20'serving to hold the sleeves in place around the uprights until the fioor has been molded and thereafter to keep'the uprights from buckling. The

sleeves, if made of-a length equal to the thickness to be given to the floor slabs, may

be used'as guides forthe straight-edge emp oyed in leveling off the top'of the moldedi floors. The column-boxes 21, bound to-' V umn, wiere thereisonly a single pair ofv uprights adjacent thereto, the column-ca l gether by the usual cleats, 22-, are supported upon cross-pieces24 which are laid, beneath the cleats, across column-carriers 23 secured to the u rights. "In the case of a wall colriers are extended inwardly past the uprights and braced t0 the beam-carriers above 7 1 by vertical ties 25. I The columns 26, girders 27 beams 28, andfloor-slabs 29, of thefirst floor have been -molded, and, the concrete having hardened,

the centering has been struck, leaving'only I the' tie-pieces 4;, which.may serve as carriers for-a temporary platform for use in; remov v ing the centering above, to keep the uprights I from buckling. The concrete floor 30 has 'also been laid, and the concrete has'been poured for the columns above the-first ,fioor,

. the floor-slabs and theopc'nings 32 formed The reinforcement of the. concrete work has not beenshown, as itforms. no part of the present invention. ,Aft'er the removal of the uprights theslecves are removed from therein. are filled with concrete blocks 33, which have been cast 1n the sleeves, or in any other suitable manner.

The following succession of steps in the erection of the continuousmentering of my invention has been found best in practice,

and is, therefore recommended. The .uprights, or their extensions, are first. set up and, once plumbed, the horizontal ties are solidly spiked thereto. 'The girderand beam-carriers, the latter with the riser-strips mounted-thereon, are then spiked or bolted The joists are next set and the floor-sheeting is laid thereon, leaving to the upri hts.

. openings for the'lgi'rder, beam-and columnboxes. Then, usmgthe floor-sheeting as. a latform on which to work, the girderand cam-boxes are; The knee-braces are [will be understood that it may be variously and widely modified in its details, as by] I 'changing'the form and arrangement of the g several parts orbyfsubstituting equivalents therefor, or by omitting some. vof the parts-'- entirely,-without de art ing from the spirit or sacrificing the a. vantages thereof. For e example, since floors ofreinforced concrete 3 .are constructed in certain. cases {without girders orwithout beams or even without any soflits whatever, the centeringfo'r a floor,' as that term is hereiniised, will comprise floor-sheeting either with orwithout -girder-; and beam-boxes,according to circumstances. Other modifications may-be made, within" the scope of theappe'nded claims.

that I claim as'ncw, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is Y 9'5 1. A system of removable centering for concrete constructions wherein the centering for one floor is supported by a plurality of temporary uprights located in groups adja-' cent-to the permanent supports of the con struction and adapted to be extended'above the le'vel of said floor tosupportthecentering for the fioonor floors above. I

2."A systen1; of-ccnteringfor reinforced concrete constructions wherein the centering 05 for a flooris carried upon horizontal carriers which are support-cd by uprights, extend; ,parallel to lii'1es f .)rn1'ed by the permanent supports-of the construction; and aredis- 't a'nt from said permanentsupports substan tially one-fifth of the length of the span 3. A system of centering for reinforced concrete constructions-=Whercin the centering for a floor is-carried upon horizontal can .riers which are supported-by uprights and i which extendsubstantiallyparallel to the outer .walls of the-construction and are loca-ted adjacent to t-he'inucr sides of the wall columns and around the interior GOlllllHlS and distant from the centers-of the columns substantially one-fifth of the length of the span. e I

4. A system-of centering for reinforced concrete constructions which comprises. a, plurality of uprights arranged ingroups aroundthe column-positions, horizontal girder-carriers secured to said uprights,

' girder-boxes mounted upon I said girder-car riers, horizontal beam carriers qecured to said uprights atrigh't-angles. to girderif-3".-

centering for the lower floor and which supcarriers, beam-boxes mounted upon said beamcarriers, risers mounted upon said beam-carriers between said beam-boxes and furnishing support for the sides thereof, joists mounted upon said risers and furnish ing support for the sides of said girderboxes, and floor-sheeting mounted upon said joists.

5. A system of centering for reinforced concrete constructions wherein the centering for two or more consecutive floors is carried upon and supported by temporary uprights which are suitably supported below and extend up through the centering of the intermediate fioor or floors.

6. A system of centering for reinforced concrete constructions comprising a plurality of temporary uprights which carry the centering for a lower floor and extend up through sleeves resting upon the said center-' ing and carry the centering for an upper floor.

7. A system of centering -for reinforced concrete constructions comprising a plurality of temporary, removable uprights which are set within the ground area of the construction, extend up through the centering of one or more floors and carry the centering for an upper floor or floors.

8. In a system of centering for reinforced concrete constructions, thecombination with the centering for the members of two or more consecutive floors of temporary, re

movable uprights arranged and adapted\to act as common supports therefor.

9. In a system of centering for reinforced concrete constructions, the combination with a plurality of temporary uprights set in groups around and adjacent to the perm anent. column-positions and extending upwardly above the level of the lower of two or more consecutive floors, of means .for supporting thereupon the centering for the members of the said floors.

10. In a system of centering for reinforced concrete constructions, the combination with the centering for a lower and upper floor of temporary, removable uprights which are suitably supported below and extend upward through and above the port the centering for both floors.

11. In a system of centering for reinforced concrete constructions, the combination with a plurality of temporary uprights arranged in groups around and adjacent to the permanent column-positions of horizontal carriers secured thereto at different levels and adapted to carry and support the floorsheeting, girder-boxes and column-boxes for two or more consecutive floo'rs, respectively.

12. In a system of centering-for reinforced concrete constructions, the combine:

tion with fioor-sheetin and a plurality of temporary 1' )rights which support the floorsheeting and, from foundations below, extend up through the floor-sheeting of sleeves which surround said uprights above the floorsheeting and are adapted to serve as guides in leveling off the molded concrete floor as well as molds fof providing openings there-' in for the removal of the uprights.

13. In a system of centering for rein: forced concrete constructions, the combination of upri hts 1 arranged in groups around and adjacent to the permanent column-positions,girdercarriers 5 secured to said uprights, beam-carriers 6 secured to said uprights at substantially right angles to said girder-carriers, "girder-boxes 10 mounted upon said girder-carriers, beamboxes 11 and joists v13 mounted upon said beam-carriers, and floor-sheeting 12 mounted upon said joists.

14. In a system of centering for reinforced concrete constructions, the combination with the temporary uprights 1 1 which rest upon suitable foundations-below and extend up above the levelof a lower floor of centering for the said lower and an upper floor, the said centering comprising the girder-carriers 5 and the beam-carriers 6 secured to said uprights, and the girder-boxes 10, beam-boxes 11, joists 13, floor-sheeting 12, and sleeves 19 assembled upon and carried by said girderand beam-carriers.

15. The art of reinforced concrete construction, which comprises supporting the entire centering for a fioor upon horizontal carriers which areimounted upon temporary uprights and extend parallel to lines formed by thepermanent supports of the construction and are distant therefrom substantially one-fifth of the ,length of the span. 16. The artofreinforced concrete construction, which comprises setting a plura'lity of temporary ,up'rights'in, groups adjacent to the permanentsupports of the construction, mounting upon said sup or ts a horizontal framework of carriers and crosscarriers which extend parallel to lines formed by said permanent supports and distant therefrom substantially one-fifth'ofthe length of the spanand supporting on said horizontal, framework the entire centering for a floor.

17. The art of reinforced concrete construction, which comprises mounting the centering for an upper floor or floors upon temporary uprights which extend up through the centering of the floor or floors below.

18. The art of reinforced concrete construction, which comprises setting a plurality of temporary uprights reaching above the level of a' floor in groups around the permanent column-positions, mounting thereon the centering for theseveral members of said floor, and then extending said uprights above the level and mounting on said extensions the centering for the several members of each succeeding floor in turn.

- rality exten ing said uprights sald extensions the floor-sheeting and girder-,-

19. The art of reinforced concrete construction, which comprises setting te-mpo-' extend above a floor rary uprights which around and adjacent to the level in groups column-positions, mounting thereon the floorand beam-boxes for the floor above.

20. The art of reinforced concrete construction, which comprises settin a-pluof temporary uprights within the limits of the ground area of said construction, mounting thereon the centering for a lower floor and then molding the concrete members of said floor while at the same time upon said floor-sheeting, .and then and mounting on name in the presence of mounting upon the said uprights the centering for a higher floor.

21. The art of reinforced concrete construction, which comprises setting a plurality of uprights, mounting thereon the centering for several consecutive floors, molding the lower floor or floors, and then securing the uprights to horizontal supports restingupon one or more of, the molded floors and removing portions of the uprights below, the said horizontal supports.

In witness whereof, I have signed my 30 two witnesses.

HUGHES BltUSSEL.

Witnesses L. VITEOBO, J. WALSH. 

